As we get older, we may start to notice it takes us longer to find the right words. This can lead to concerns about cognitive decline and dementia. However, a new study by Baycrest and the University of Toronto suggests that talking speed is a more important indicator of brain health than difficulty finding words,...
Health
‘Fourth Wave’ of Opioid Epidemic Crashes Ashore, Propelled by Fentanyl and Meth
The United States is knee-deep in what some experts call the opioid epidemic’s “fourth wave,” which is not only placing drug users at greater risk but is also complicating efforts to address the nation’s drug problem. These waves, according to a report out today from Millennium Health, began with the crisis in prescription opioid use,...
Death and Redemption in an American Prison
Steven Garner doesn’t like to talk about the day that changed his life. A New Orleans barroom altercation in 1990 escalated to the point where Garner, then 18, and his younger brother Glenn shot and killed another man. The Garners claimed self-defense, but a jury found them guilty of second-degree murder. They were sentenced to...
Associations Between Mango Eaters and Moms-To-Be: Better Diets and Improved Nutrient Intakes
Women trying to conceive, currently pregnant or lactating have unique nutritional needs often unmet by current dietary choices. A recent study, published in Nutrients, shows a significant finding: when mangos are incorporated into the diets of women of childbearing age (WCA), both overall diet quality and the intake of vital nutrients crucial for a healthy pregnancy...
Telehealth Is as Safe as a Visit to the Clinic for Abortion Pills
Large national study finds that video visits, texting and mailing pills are all effective, as the U.S. Supreme Court considers limiting access to telemedicine abortion. Medication abortion can be delivered safely and effectively through telemedicine, according to new research from UC San Francisco that comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is about to hear a...
Dietary Supplements and Protein Powders Fall Under a ‘Wild West’ of Unregulated Products That Necessitate Caveats and Caution
Dietary supplements are a big business. The industry made almost US$39 billion in revenue in 2022, and with very little regulation and oversight, it stands to keep growing. The marketing of dietary supplements has been quite effective, with 77% of Americans reporting feeling that the supplement industry is trustworthy. The idea of taking your health...
BIPOC Individuals Bear Greater Post-Covid Health Burdens, New Research Suggests
Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) who were infected with COVID-19 experienced greater negative aftereffects in health and work loss than did similarly infected white participants, new research finds. Despite similar symptom prevalence, BIPOC and Hispanic patients experienced greater negative impacts on their health status, activity levels, and ability to work compared with non-Hispanic...
What Happens to Your Liver When You Stop Drinking
According to Greek mythology, Zeus punished Prometheus for giving fire to humans. He chained Prometheus and set an eagle to feast on his liver. Each night the liver grew again, and each day the eagle returned to its feast. In reality, can a liver really grow back? The liver is the largest internal organ in...
Where, When and How Did Syphilis Appear? Ancestral DNA Found in Brazil Has the Answer
Rarely is there such precise historical information about the origin of an infectious disease as in the case of syphilis : in 1493, during the siege of the city of Naples by French troops. From there, it spread rapidly throughout Europe and Asia, causing one of the most devastating epidemics for humanity for several centuries, which ended when,...
Pictures Have Been Teaching Doctors Medicine for Centuries − a Medical Illustrator Explains How
“Medical illustrators draw what can’t be seen, watch what’s never been done, and tell thousands about it without saying a word.” For decades, this slogan appeared on the website and printed materials of the Association of Medical Illustrators. Although the association no longer uses this tag line, it’s still an accurate description of the profession....